For years now I've loved the character of Matt Murdock/Daredevil. The character himself is just so interesting that he shines in almost any scenario. It's the reason I started reading Daredevil comics--I just couldn't get enough of the Man Without Fear. That love began with Daredevil Season One though, and as I watch the show again, I'm struck by how it's not just the character I fell in love with, but the story of Season One as a whole.
I have the benefit of having read pretty much every issue of Daredevil from the last thirty years and a healthy dose of his best stories from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, too. Despite this huge swath of stories, Daredevil Season One remains one of the best, and I'm quickly realising just how much of it is down to its structure.
I get a giddy feeling at least once an episode when I realise that Daredevil is mapping perfectly onto the beats of a three-act structure spread out across thirteen episodes. So, if last week was the First Pinch Point, this next chunk of the arc should see Matt learning some important information or clues that will lead him to his goal.
We haven't discussed what Matt's goal is yet, but it's pretty simple: he's trying to find the man behind the bulk of criminal activity happening in Hell's Kitchen. Initially he didn't even know there was one single man behind it all, and part of the fun of his quest has been Matt gradually honing his goal. It's razor-sharp, now; he has the name of the man behind the scenes (Wilson Fisk) and the name of one of his lieutenants (Vladimir). Matt's goal this episode is to track down Vladimir, who's name he gets from Claire after she was kidnapped last episode. This uncovering of clues, of being so close to the goal you can almost taste it, is classic Post-Pinch Point, Pre-Midpoint Act 2.
I'll admit to not being able to remember exactly how the plot develops but I would put good money on Matt having a face-to-face confrontation with Fisk in episode seven. Just you wait and see.
I'd remiss to point out the one portion of this episode that doesn't work for me and that's the Matt+Claire kiss. While I would be able to buy some kind of relationship between eventually, the timing of this moment feels off. Claire's just been kidnapped and beaten bloody all because she helped Matt. She certainly has a fondness for Matt, and I really like their dynamic as two people helping the city in different ways, but is this really the moment for a kiss? Her lip is bleeding, Matt!
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